Cary SLP 05 Review Part Two

Sumerian

So after using it for few weeks here are my thoughts.

Let me first say that this thing sounds amazing there is no question or second thought about that.

But....................................

1) Don't understand this, for a premium pre amp like SLP05 (Top of the line product from cary) why they have to use the cheapo EH tubes? cant they alteast use the gold terminal version of the same tubes? isn't it the parts choice that make up a premium audio product? I see the same pattern in their DAC's chip choice too. I don't expect them to use some antique Pope tubes but come on for a 9K MSRP you should do better than EH tubes.

2) Remote!!!! what the hell is wrong with this thing anyway. Seriously for a 2 button remote this thing is "the" heaviest remote I ever handled. My biggest complaint is why there is no power button? Power button would have also worked as HT By pass. This pre amp is 10 years old why haven't they thought of this? I did post this question to them .. one of their guys responded back saying it would have been a good option but he is not sure why they haven't done it. I am not expecting fully functional remote but just one more button to make it least functional.

3) I think they should and must increase their customer service model.
I am not looking for "Getting the job" done since I didn't purchase "Getting the job done" product and haven't paid "Getting the job done" price I bought a premium product and paid premium price so I expect the premium service PERIOD.. Honestly though , initially I was scared with all the customer service reviews I read on the forums. Even though Cary CS is not that scary but it still doesn't cut it. There is a CSR by name Dan who is pretty quick in responding to the queries but looks like that's about it, anything beyond him / after him is not up to the mark. When you sell a products like these you really need a VERY GOOD customer service to back up the products.

4) Quality Check, though this is a minor issue but I still want to put it there. When I opened the boxes and started connecting the components I heard a nut/bolt rolling in the power unit. Contacted the Cary CS they asked me to drop it at their location so that they can fix it or I can I open it up and discard the screw. Anyways I opened it up and screwed the screw back in to its actual position.
A screw on loose in a power unit would or may have screwed up the entire pre amp. Aren't hand made/ hand assembled products destined to have better QC?

And.......................

1) I really like the fact it has three XLR inputs thought it may not sound big of a deal but I think that would be critical when in need.

2) They way low end sounds is really exception, nothing like I have heard before. I was actually concerned about how a tube pre would respond wrt Bass ...needless to say I am really impressed ....in fact I am more than impressed.

3) Mid range has a unique feel or signature ... I don't have the exact technical/audiophile term but let me just say it feels unique and sweet.

4) I never had to move volume knob beyond the 1/4 th position ...Damn thing has so much gain.

5) Important thing I noticed is no matter what the volume (Volume levels I tried) is it still sounds clear, very clear no distortion at all.

6) Looks!!! seriously it looks like some cool ET equipment. I think this thing looks real nice in black.

So.......

1) Though I am happy with the purchase I am not sure if I want to buy more from Cary. Atleast not brand new ones. To me customer service means everything I am ok getting little less great sounding product and I am ok paying little more price if I get good customer service. To me buying product from a company means a lot than just the product.

F1nut

Most high end tube gear do not come with premium tubes. Perhaps they figure you're going to roll tubes anyway. Gold pins wouldn't change the sound of the EH tubes.

Most high end gear does not have a power on/off option via the remote....just the way it is.

Try a Jolida CDP remote some time, you could kill someone with it.

Glad you like the sound.

Sumerian

F1nut wrote: »

Most high end gear does not have a power on/off option via the remote....just the way it is.

.

is there any logical explanation for that? since every one seems to do it, there should be one I guess?

Jhayman

Nice mini review..
While I don't really know or have even heard a Cary product, I do believe for the $$ you paid there should be better CS than which you are recieveing, even for your tube miss number issue..
As for their choice of Tubes, while I'm very new to Tubes as well maybe they find those EH tubes to be very reliable and you said your self the sound is Amazing..
Being a ten year old design do they have another model that has power button, HT by-pass and selectable inputs on the remote?
Scratch that the SLP05 is TOTL..
I also feel some things are a pre requisite on a remote, you know just simple things, like a power button, volume and input selection should be mandatory IMO..

My McCormack LD-2 and Rogue do not have power buttons either, though the LD-2 has input selection and HT by-pass..

F1nut

Sumerian wrote: »

is there any logical explanation for that? since every one seems to do it, there should be one I guess?

More circuitry = more noise.

tonyb

F1nut wrote: »

More circuitry = more noise.

Bingo...plus your average higher end audiophile doesn't look at convenience options first, it's always first and foremost about the sound.

cnh

F1nut wrote: »

Most high end tube gear do not come with premium tubes. Perhaps they figure you're going to roll tubes anyway. Gold pins wouldn't change the sound of the EH tubes.

Most high end gear does not have a power on/off option via the remote....just the way it is.

Try a Jolida CDP remote some time, you could kill someone with it.

Glad you like the sound.

That's certainly what I thought when I first unpacked my Jolida remote. A solid piece of Aluminum with the weight of a small brick! lol Everyone I know who is not familiar with these kinds of remotes is amazed by the heft.

cnh

tonyb

No offense to the OP, but sometimes I wonder about complaints for remote power buttons in higher end gear. I think that these are the same people who spend 5 minutes getting an album ready to play on a TT, but can't push a power button ?

Just a general observation ....may or may not apply here.

marvda1

you hear more complaints when a manufacturer of expensive equipment give you a cheap plastic remote.

SCompRacer

A good audio rule to follow is turn amp off before pre amp, so having no remote on/off for pre could save folks some grief downstream, like blown speakers or amp.

agfrost

SCompRacer wrote: »

A good audio rule to follow is turn amp off before pre amp, so having no remote on/off for pre could save folks some grief downstream, like blown speakers or amp.

My 8 year old is famous for sitting on the TV remote, powering it on/off, changing channels, inputs, etc. Oh, the damage he could do with a preamp remote! :eek:

BlueFox

My Pass XP-20 pre doesn't even have a power switch! Sometimes it glitches and nothing works, and the only way to reset it is to reach behind and remove the power cable. Then it is a pain trying to plug it back in by touch.

pitdogg2

I can honestly say that with my gear that has remotes in my 2ch rig. I have never put batteries in the remote. They are brand new unused. Even in my home theater rig most of the time I turn everything on/off with the hard button on the item. Only use the remote gets is starting/stopping the DVD. The Sony dvp s9000es I just bought the ONLY reason I have used the remote was for the SACD/CD button for the layers now if that was on the machine, well there would be another remote I would not of used.

One of the only reason I have ever used a remote was for service. Most of the time there is a code to punch in to get to service screens and/or diagnostics

Jhayman

Yes I remember now about why no power buttons are on preamps, like you say...
I was told by the seller on my Rogue to specifically turn on the Rogue and wait for about 20-30 secs before powering on my amps..
On that note I see nothing wrong with an input selection button with volume..

SCompRacer wrote: »

A good audio rule to follow is turn amp off before pre amp, so having no remote on/off for pre could save folks some grief downstream, like blown speakers or amp.

Sumerian

tonyb wrote: »

No offense to the OP, but sometimes I wonder about complaints for remote power buttons in higher end gear. I think that these are the same people who spend 5 minutes getting an album ready to play on a TT, but can't push a power button ?

Just a general observation ....may or may not apply here.

No offense taken.
I am not a veteran in this hobby.
I understand it's the way of the beast.
But as I said I don't expect input selector or gain adjustment on remote
Since the slp05 is in ht bypass once switched off I think it would be nice to add it kinda two birds with one stone.
I was aware of the remote limitation even before I bought the pre amp it's not like my must have.

tonyb

I hear ya bro, some niceties would help out on higher end gear no doubt. The makers of higher end gear are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to adding these things. For every person that stays away from their products because of a lack of remotes or power switches, there lies the same amount in the purists who would stay away if they included more circuitry. They can't win favor of everyone no matter what they do.